Method and apparatus for filling a space between a sloping roof of a building and a peaked roof of an adjoining extension

ABSTRACT

An assembly of prefabricated metal extrusions is utilized to secure roof plates in a construction to fill a void or space between a sloped roof of a building such as one family house and a peaked roof of an adjoining extension such as a sunroom. The extrusions have angularly adjustable channels for adjustably receiving the roof plates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No.: 60/815,398, filed on Jun. 24, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and apparatus related to buildingconstruction and particularly to filling a space between a sloped roofof a building, such as a private house or the like and a peakedadjoining extension, such as a greenhouse.

BACKGROUND

In conventional practice, in order to fill the space between a slopedroof of a building and the peaked roof of an adjoining extension, aframing is constructed on site with beams and studs to support aconventional predominantly triangular frame plate on opposite sides of aridge bar of the framing. The framing and frame plates form a gablewhich is covered with tar paper and shingles to match the existing roofof the building and the gable fills the space between the sloped roof ofthe building and the peaked roof of the extension.

The construction of the framing requires cutting various wood memberswith compound miters and different lengths and securing them to oneanother and to the existing roof. This requires careful measurement andprecision cutting of the wood members and laborious installation toassure that the triangular frame plates are properly fitted in place.This is time consuming and requires skill in measurement andinstallation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus whichavoid the problems associated with the conventional practice of framingconstruction.

A further object of the invention is to minimize skill and precision inassembling the framing.

A further object of the invention is to provide prefabricated partswhich are installed with simplicity to capture the frame plates inprecise positions.

Yet another object of the invention is to simplify the installation ofthe framing and enable it to be constructed in relatively simple mannerwithout a high degree of skill.

Still another object of the invention is to provide prefabricatedmembers which will allow them to be used for different sizes and shapesof roofs.

Yet another object of the invention is to permit the construction of theframing with a minimum number of parts.

In order to satisfy the above and further objects of the invention,there is provided a construction of prefabricated members adapted forattaching a peaked extension to a roof of a building sloping towards theextension, the construction comprising a prefabricated ridge barextending horizontally from the sloped roof of the building forattachment at one end to a peak of the extension, the ridge bar havingan opposite end secured to the roof of the building. The ridge bar has aside opening or channel for receiving one edge of a predominantlytriangular roof plate. A prefabricated base plate is secured to the roofand extends from where the end of the ridge bar is secured to the roofalong the roof towards the edge of the roof. The base plate is angledaway from the ridge bar.

A prefabricated fitting member is secured to the base plate and has aside opening or channel facing the channel of the ridge bar to receivean opposite edge of the triangular roof plate whereby the roof plate isengaged in the channels of the fitting member and the ridge bar to coverthe roof of the building and fill in a void between the peaked extensionand the sloped roof of the building.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the ridge bar providesangular adjustment of its channel and the fitting member is pivotallyconnected to the base plate to provide angular adjustment of its channelwhereby to enable the edges of the roof plate to be engaged in thechannels.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the ridge bar andthe fitting member are made as extruded metal members, preferably ofaluminum.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the ridge barcomprises two members hingeably connected together and having respectivechannels facing away from one another to support edges of respectiveroof plates on opposite sides of the ridge bar.

According to a further feature, a hinged flap is secured to the roofadjacent to the fitting member to cover a space between the buildingroof and the fitting member.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof filling the space between the sloping roof of the building and thepeaked roof of the extension adjoining the building, comprising thesteps of:

-   -   securing the ridge bar to the peak of the extension such that        the ridge bar extends horizontally from the peak to an end at        which the ridge bar is secured to the roof of the building,    -   forming the ridge bar as a prefabricated extruded metal member,    -   securing a metal base plate to the roof on each side of the        ridge bar, each base plate extending from the end of the ridge        bar towards the edge of the roof at an angle away from the ridge        bar,    -   attaching a prefabricated extruded fitting member to each base        plate,    -   providing side openings or channels at opposite sides of the        ridge bar facing respective side openings or channels in the        fitting members, and    -   inserting predominantly triangular roof plates into the side        openings at opposite sides of the ridge bar to form a peaked        assembly on the sloped roof of the building which coincides with        the peaked roof of the extension to fill the space between the        extension and the sloped roof of the building.

In further accordance with the invention, the channels in the ridge barand the fitting members are angularly adjustable to facilitateengagement of the side edges of the roof plates therein.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, two pivotal partsof the ridge bar are connected by a hinge at a lower edge and havecurved slidable flanges at an upper edge.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a hinged flap issecured on the roof adjacent to an edge of each fitting member to covera space between the edge of each fitting member and the roof.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, each fittingmember is hinged to its respective base plate for adjusting the angle ofthe respective channels of the fitting members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a building to which is attached anadjoining extension.

FIG. 1A is similar to FIG. 1 and shows apparatus according to theinvention which fills a space between the building and the adjoiningextension.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of the extension and the building.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, broken in length, taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 1A.

FIG. 4A illustrates a modification of a member in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a framing to fill the space betweenthe building roof and the extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1-3 therein is seena first structure 1 and a second structure 2 adjoining one another. Thefirst structure 1 is intended as an extension of the second structure 2and preferably is in the form of a glass sunroom or greenhouse or thelike. The second structure is a building, such as a conventional onefamily dwelling. The first structure 1 (hereafter referred to as “theextension”) has a gabled or peaked roof 3 as shown in FIG. 3. The gabledroof 3 has a peak 4 at the top of the extension. The second structure(hereafter referred to as “the building”) has a sloped roof 5, which ispredominantly planar (see FIG. 1) and faces the end of the extension 1.As seen in FIG. 1, when the extension 1 adjoins the building 2, a spaceor void 6 is formed between the end 7 of the extension 1 and the roof 5of building 2.

It is the object of the invention to fill the space 6 with aconstruction 8 which smoothly joins the gabled roof 3 of the extension 1with the sloped roof 5 of the building 2.

In conventional constructions, a framework is constructed in situ fromwood members i.e. studs and beams which are cut to length, mitered andassembled on the roof 5. As previously stated in the Background section,this is time consuming and requires substantial precision, oftenresulting in considerable waste.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of prefabricated membersare used to assemble the construction 8 to fill the space 6. As will beseen, these members can be easily installed with relatively little skillquickly and without significant waste.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a first prefabricated element 10 is seen inthe form of a ridge bar for the construction 8. The ridge bar 10 isadapted for being secured to the extension 1 at the peak 4 thereof andthe ridge bar 10 extends predominantly horizontally from the peaktowards the roof 5 of the building 2 whereat the end of the ridge barcontacts and is supported by the roof 5 of the building 2 at a region11. The end of the ridge bar can be cut at an angle to match the slopeof the roof 5.

The ridge bar 10 is formed by two extruded metal fittings 12,13 whichare connected at their lower ends by a hinge 14. The fittings 12 and 13have respective curved flanges 15,16 at their upper ends which ride onone another when the fittings 12,13 are pivoted around hinge 14. Eachfitting has straight upper and lower flanges 17,18 facing away fromflanges 15,16. A web 19 joins the upper and lower flanges of each of thefittings. The flanges, 17,18 and web 19 form a space or channel 20 for apurpose to be explained later. It is to be noted that by rotating thefittings 12, 13 around hinge 14 the angle of he channels 20 can bechanged to match the angle of the roof 3 of the extension 1.

At the region 11 where the ridge bar 10 contacts the roof 5, a pair ofmetal base plates 21 are secured to the roof 5 and extend symmetricallyfrom region 11 to the end of roof 5. The base plates 21 are secured byscrews 23 to the roof 5. The plates 21 extend on both sides of the ridgebar 10 and are angled away from the ridge bar such that the ends of thebase plates 21 are substantially aligned with the sides 22 of theextension 1 as seen in FIG. 5.

At one edge of each base plate 21, a socket 24 is formed for a purposewhich will be explained later. Two prefabricated metal fittings 25 aredisposed adjacent to base plates 21 and are formed at an edge thereofwith ball shaped rods 26 which engage in sockets 24 to form ball jointconnections providing pivotal movement of the fittings 25 with respectto the base plates 21.

Each fitting 25 is formed as an extruded prefabricated member and hasupper and lower flanges 27, 28 which form a space or channel 29 facingtowards the ridge bar 10. Each fitting 25 has a web 30 at the back ofchannel 29 and a flange 31 extending in a direction away from the flange27, and facing roof 5. The channels 29 of fittings 25 and channels 20 ofridge bar 10 face one another and have respective angular adjustment byvirtue of the ball and socket joints 24 and the hinge 14.

A roof plate 32 (FIG. 5) of conventional construction of wood or plasticand of approximate triangular or angulated shape is insertable intochannels 29 and 20 of fittings 25 and ridge bar 10 respectively. Theroof plate can be of hollow core construction with upper and lowerflanges UF, LF and connecting webs (not shown). The apex of thetriangular plate 32 can be cut back so that the plate closely abutsagainst the roof 5 at the ridge bar and can be sealed thereat. The roofplates 32 with the ridge bar 10 and the fittings 25 form an assembly 33(FIG. 5) of prefabricated members which collectively form theconstruction 8 that fills the space 6 between the extension 1 and theroof 5 of the building 2. The construction 8 has the shape of aninverted V which extends in continuation of the gable shape of the roof3 of extension 1.

For large constructions, the roof plate 32 can be made-up by two or moreelements.

The assembly 33 further includes a sub-assembly 34 intended to close aspace 35 between the side of each fitting 25 and the surface of the roof5. The sub-assembly includes a plate 36 fixed to the roof 5 andconnected by a ball and socket joint 37 to a second plate 38. The secondplate 38 serves as a pivotal flap which rests on the flange 31 of thefitting member 25 and is ultimately secured thereto by screws or similarfasteners.

A triangular assembly 39 of wood or similar members 40 can be secured tothe roof 5, preferably in proximity to its edge 41 (FIG. 2) to serve asa prop for the ridge bar 10 before it is secured to the roof and engagesthe roof plates 32.

After the edges of the roof plates 32 have been installed in thechannels of the fittings 25 and the ridge bar 10, the edges are securedin the channels by screws or bolts 42. The curved flanges 15, 16 ofridge bar 10 are secured by screws 43. The ridge bar 10, the fittings 25and subassembly 34 are finally secured and sealed to the roof by meansof screws or similar fasteners and flashing.

The flange 38 of sub-assembly 34 is then secured to the flange 31 offitting 25.

The assembly of the prefabricated members, now secure and fastened tothe roof 5 of the building 2, is then covered with tar paper andshingles to match the shingles of the roof 5.

Although the fitting 25 has been shown in FIG. 4 as an integral extrudedmember with an integral web 30 joining flange 28 with flanges 27 and 31,FIG. 4A shows a modification in which the fitting is divided into upperextruded fitting part 25A and lower extruded fitting part 25B. The upperand lower extruded fitting parts 25A and 25B have respective webs 30Aand 30B which overlap one another in abutting relation. The upper andlower fitting parts 25A and 25B define respective spaces 29A and 29Bwhich collectively form channel 29.

The installation of roof plate 32 in fitting parts 25A and 25B issomewhat different from that described in connection with FIG. 4 wherethe edge of the roof plate is inserted into channel 29 of fitting 25.Namely, the edge of roof plate 32 is rested on flange 28 of lowerfitting 25B after flange 28 has been angularly adjusted to align withchannel 20 in ridge bar 10. The upper fitting 25A is then mounted on theupper surface of the roof plate 32 with its web 30A abutting against web30B. The roof plate 32 and the fitting parts 25A and 25B are thensecured together by screws 42.

The space 6 between the end of the extension 1 and the sloped roof 5 ofthe building 2 has now been filled with construction 8 comprised ofprefabricated metal members holding the roof plates. The metal membersare preferably made of aluminum or other lightweight material.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a disclosedembodiment, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous modifications and variations can be made within the scope andspirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

1. A prefabricated construction for filling a space between a peakedextension and a roof of a building sloping towards the extension, saidprefabricated construction comprising a ridge bar extendingpredominantly horizontally and positioned to extend from the sloped roofof the building for attachment at one end to a peak of the extension,the ridge bar having an opposite end secured to the roof of thebuilding, said ridge bar having a side opening for receiving one edge ofa roof plate, a base plate secured to the roof where said opposite endof the ridge bar is secured to the roof, said base plate extending alongsaid roof towards an edge of the roof and being angled away from theridge bar, and a fitting secured to said base plate and having a sideopening facing the side opening of the ridge bar to receive an oppositeedge of the roof plate whereby the roof plate is secured by the fittingand the ridge bar to cover the roof of the building and fill in a spacebetween the peaked extension and the roof of the building.
 2. Theprefabricated construction of claim 1, wherein said ridge bar providesangular adjustment for the side opening thereof, the end of the fittingbeing pivotally connected to the base plate to provide angularadjustment of the side opening thereof whereby to enable the roof plateto be engaged at its side edges in said side openings in the ridge barand fitting.
 3. The prefabricated construction of claim 2, wherein saidridge bar and said fitting comprise respective extruded members.
 4. Theprefabricated construction of claim 3, wherein said extruded members aremade of aluminum.
 5. The prefabricated construction of claim 1, whereinsaid ridge bar comprises two members hingeably connected together andhaving respective said side openings facing away from one another tosupport edges of two said roof plates on opposite sides of the ridgebar.
 6. The prefabricated construction of claim 1, further comprising ahinged flange secured to the roof adjacent to said fitting to cover aspace between the building roof and the fitting.
 7. A method of fillinga space between a sloping roof of a building and a peaked roof of anextension adjoining the building, said method comprising the steps of:securing a ridge bar to a peak of the extension such that the ridge barextends predominantly horizontally from the peak to an end at which theridge bar is secured to the sloping roof of the building, forming saidridge bar as an extruded member, securing a metal base plate to thesloping roof of the building on each side of the ridge bar, each baseplate extending from the end of the ridge bar towards an edge of theroof at an angle away from the ridge bar, attaching an extruded fittingto each said base plate to extend therealong, providing side openings atopposite sides of the ridge bar facing side openings provided in thefitting, inserting angulated roof plates into said side openings atopposite sides of the ridge bar extending from said end of the ridge barto said extension to form a peaked assembly which covers the spaceformed between the extension and the sloped roof of the building.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, comprising providing angular adjustment of the sideopenings in the ridge bar and the fitting to adjust angularity of saidside openings to facilitate engagement of the side edges of the roofplates therein.
 9. The method of claim 8, comprising forming said ridgebar as two hinged parts each with a respective said side opening. 10.The method of claim 9, comprising connecting said two hinged parts ofthe ridge bar with a hinge at a lower edge and with slidable flanges atan upper edge.
 11. The method of claim 7, comprising mounting a hingedflap on the roof adjacent to a side of edge fitting to cover a spacebetween the side of each fitting and the roof
 12. The method of claim 7,comprising forming the ridge bar and the fittings members withrespective lengths to adjust size of the assembly to cover spaces ofvarying size.
 13. The method of claim 7, comprising providing a hingeconnection between each clamping member and its receptive base plate foradjusting the angle of the side opening of the respective clampingmember.
 14. Apparatus for joining a roof of a first structure with aroof of a second adjoining structure in which the roofs have differentroof shapes and form a void therebetween, said apparatus comprising anassembly of pre-fabricated elements said prefabricated elements beingshaped and arranged to be fixed to the roof of the first structure sothat the assembly extends to the roof of the second structure to form acontinuation of the roof of the second structure.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein said assembly includes a roof platehaving opposite side edges and said prefabricated elements compriseopposed first and second pre-fabricated members secured to the roof ofthe first structure and respectively engaging the opposite edges of theroof plate to support the roof plate.
 16. Apparatus according to claim15, wherein said first and second prefabricated members includerespective angularly adjustable channels in which the opposite edges ofthe roof plate are inserted.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16,wherein said first and second members respectively comprise extrudedmetal members having said channels which are sized and dimensioned toreceive the edges of the roof plate.
 18. Apparatus according to claim16, wherein said first and second members hold the roof plate in alignedextension of the roof of the second structure when the first and secondmembers are properly angularly adjusted.
 19. Apparatus according toclaim 18, wherein the roof of the second structure is of gable shapehaving a peak at its top, said first prefabricated member comprising aridge bar extending in extension of said peak and including two elementson opposite sides of the ridge bar, said two elements being slidable onone another to provide the angular adjustment of the channels, saidsecond member comprising two fittings extending on opposite sides of theridge bar and being secured to the roof of the first structure such thatthe channels of the fittings face the channels of the ridge bar, twosaid roof plates being provided on respective opposite sides of theridge bar and being engaged in the respective channels of the fittingsof the second members and the channels of the ridge bar to form aninverted V shape for said assembly which extends in continuation of thegable shape of the roof of the second structure to the roof line of thesecond structure.
 20. A method of joining a roof of a first structure toa roof of a second structure in which the first and second roofs havedifferent roof lines, said method comprising the steps of: assembling aplurality of pre-fabricated members on the first roof, engaging roofplates with the assembly of pre-fabricated members, and constructing andarranging the prefabricated members and the roof plates to form anassembly which is continuous with the roof of the second structure andextends to the roof of the second structure.
 21. A method according toclaim 20, comprising forming the pre-fabricated members with channels inwhich side edges of the roof plates are fitted.
 22. Prefabricatedmembers for assembling a roof gable on an existing sloped roof,comprising a first prefabricated member extending horizontally from apoint in contact with the sloped roof towards an edge of the roof, saidfirst prefabricated member including two hinged elements facing inopposite directions away from the prefabricated member and havingrespective open channels, two second prefabricated members hingeablyconnected to the roof, said two second prefabricated members having openchannels facing the open channels of said hinged elements of the firstprefabricated member, said second prefabricated members extending fromthe point where the first prefabricated member contacts the roof atangles away from the first prefabricated member towards the end of theroof, said open channels in the hinged elements and in the secondprefabricated members being angularly adjustable to receive side edgesof angulated roof plates to form an assembly defining a gable shape onsaid roof.
 23. The prefabricated members of claim 22, wherein said firstand second prefabricated members comprise metal extrusions.
 24. Theprefabricated members of claim 23, wherein said metal extrusions arealuminum.
 25. The prefabricated members of claim 22, wherein said firstprefabricated member forms a ridge bar of said gable shape.